What’s Your Witchy Background? Day 11 - Favorite Holiday
Samhain
I just like the feeling on that night. Costumes or rituals are fun too, but mostly there is just an energy in the air. Nowadays, I have a lot more ancestors to honor on that night, since my parents and grandparents are gone, but I do still like that night a lot.
What’s Your Witchy Background? Day 10 - What books influenced you?
Scott Cunningham books probably had the biggest influence on me and how I practice. They are what I started with. When I made my practice Goddess-centric, Z Budapest helped me to realize that was really okay to do and how to make it work. There are probably several if not a dozen more books and authors, but these are the ones that stand out in my mind.
These are the covers I have of these books, I like them much more than the ones the books have now. Also, my Holy Book of Women’s Mysteries is signed by Z Budapest. I met her one year at a Pagan Pride Festival in Fair Oaks.
![What’s Your Witchy Background? Day 8 - Your Sun Sign
‘Gemini’ (Gem-en-i.e.) (is the third astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Gemini. It spans the 60-90th degree of the zodiac, between 54.75 and 90 degree of celestial longitude, which the Sun transits this area on average between May 21 to June 21 each year, Under the tropical (western) zodiac ending at the moment of summer solstice by definition. In astrology, Gemini is considered a “masculine”, positive (extrovert) sign. Perhaps the most dominant Geminian characteristic is versatility. It is also considered an air sign, and is one of four mutable signs.[1] Gemini has been closely associated with the planet Mercury and is considered to be ruled by it. Being the third sign of the zodiac, Gemini has been associated with the astrological third house. (x)](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb151mo9nz1qbib0to1_500.gif)
What’s Your Witchy Background? Day 8 - Your Sun Sign
‘Gemini’ (Gem-en-i.e.) (is the third astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Gemini. It spans the 60-90th degree of the zodiac, between 54.75 and 90 degree of celestial longitude, which the Sun transits this area on average between May 21 to June 21 each year, Under the tropical (western) zodiac ending at the moment of summer solstice by definition. In astrology, Gemini is considered a “masculine”, positive (extrovert) sign. Perhaps the most dominant Geminian characteristic is versatility. It is also considered an air sign, and is one of four mutable signs.[1] Gemini has been closely associated with the planet Mercury and is considered to be ruled by it. Being the third sign of the zodiac, Gemini has been associated with the astrological third house. (x)
What’s Your Witchy Background: Day 7 - A Photo of a magickal place
Summer Solstice on Caspar Beach 2010
What’s Your Witchy Background? Day 6: Air Element
Breathe.
What’s Your Witchy Background? Day 5: Favorite Symbol - Labyrinth
I changed today’s entry to favorite symbol because I do have one of those. Labyrinths. I love labyrinths. I’ve made finger ones with ceramic clay, polymer clay, embroidery and crocheted in yarn. I had one outlined in tape on my livingroom floor when I lived alone, traced them in the sand at the beach, and the baby blessing I officiated for my friend’s daughter was inside a labyrinth outlined in Xmas lights and tinsel. One day I’d like to paint one onto a large piece of canvas to take places as a portable walking labyrinth
What’s Your Witchy Background? Day 4 - Favorite Goddess
Kwan Yin
I don’t really do favorites when it comes to Goddess, but the one who is the center of my practice for the past decade is Kwan Yin. I have several statues of differing sizes and one that a friend had specially made for me (though it isn’t out because I don’t have a place secure enough to keep it safe yet). She made her presence known to me when I was really low and needed help and has stayed with me since.
What’s Your Witchy Background: Day 3 - Picture of Water Element
Bidwell Park
I do not have or use one. In fact I have never needed one and won’t waste money on a purely symbolic, but essentially useless (to me) item, I already put enough onto my altars. this isn’t to say I don’t understand that some people do find them useful, they just aren’t something I have ever felt necessary in my practice.
I have been a witch for 19 years. In 1993, I was in my forst year of college and taking a creative writing class. I needed inspiration and was wandering around B. Dalton and ended up in the New Age section where I found The Truth About Witchcraft by Scott Cunningham. I bought the book to use as research but the more I read it, the more it spoke to me. I bought several more of Cunningham’s books (still as research) but ge wrote made sense to things I was already feeling. On July 4th of that year I went up to my grandparent’s house in the mountains and did a dedication ritual beside the creek in their backyard.
At first I practiced what Cunningham’s books laid out for me, but as time passed I realized I felt no connection any male deities and began reading about Dianic Wicca. While I am not actually Dianic (it is a specific practice unto itself) I am completely Goddess focused in my practice.
I consider my practice to be creative in nature. I make most of my tools, write most of my own prayers, spells and rituals, and rarely use my books for more than information gathering (I don’t use spells or rituals from them). I have found these things to be more powerful and meaningful for me when I create them myself.
Over the years I have either been very involved to barely practicing depending on where I lived or how I felt. I have written for a couple online zines, Mystic Witch and the single issue of Baubo, as well as a couple articles in the print magazine Circle. I am a solitary practitioner though I used to do rituals with my friend before she moved. We did a baby blessing for her daughter. I have tried several times to join groups and circles but have yet to find one I am comfortable with.
So I was super inspired by the lovely (account deleted)’s 30-Day Paganism and/or Witchcraft Tumblr Challenge (which seems to have been deleted). I wanted to do a witchy Tumblr challenge as well, and for some reason I wanted it to be more extensive and personal - so 44 Days of Witchery was born! Feel free to participate as you see necessary, add, subtract, and do works best for you!
- What’s your witchy background?
A myth or story from folklore.- Witchy tools: athame.
- Picture of nature (water element).
- A favourite Goddess.
A favourite God.A favorite symbol.- Air element.
- A photo of a magical place outdoors.
A favourite mythological animal.- Your sun sign.
- Witchy tools: oils.
- Picture of nature (air element).
- What are some of the witchy books that influenced you?
- A favourite pagan holiday that you celebrate.
- Thoughts on the afterlife?
- Favourite witchy website(s).
- Picture of nature (fire element).
- Have you had any paranormal experiences?
- Fire element.
A picture of a tarot or oracle card, and its meaning.- A favourite scent.
- Current moon phase.
- A favourite candle.
- Your moon sign.
How do your close ones feel about your witchy path? Do they know? Why or why not?A witchy podcast.- Picture of nature (earth element).
A picture of a witchy I-Want-It-Now!Favorite Pagan Store.- Water element.
- Witchy tools: wand.
A favourite pagan/witchy movie.A pagan/witchy artwork.Faerie of your choice.Rune of your choice.Something that I think people who don’t know much about paganism/witchcraft should know.Flower of your choice, and its magical properties.- A famous pagan/witch!
- Witchy tools: cauldron.
- Something that inspires you.
- Your altar, if you have one!
A spell you’ve done.A favourite nature spirit.A magical recipe.A prayer- Witch’s choice!
I am going to do this. Not always good at finishing these challenges and I may do more than one a day.
*Edit: I’ve decided there are some that are not relevant to my practices or interesting to answer and I have either crossed them off or chosen a new topic. I may choose more new topics as I get to the crossed off items.
